Feature
Cultivating Future-Shaping Talent Through Open Innovation
ーSECOM's Co-Creation with Kamiyama Marugoto College of Design, Technology, and Entrepreneurshipー
SECOM participates as a scholarship partner in supporting tuition-free education at the private technical college Kamiyama Marugoto College of Design, Technology and Entrepreneurship, and provides long term financial contributions. Kamiyama Marugoto College is founded on the concept of “transforming the future of humanity through technology and design,” and aims to nurture individuals who can bring about change in society. SECOM supports this initiative because the college’s approach aligns with SECOM’s fundamental philosophy of conducting businesses that is beneficial to society, as well as with the SECOM Group Vision 2040, which upholds the principle of “SECOM will continue to evolve, in line with its goal of providing peace of mind to an ever-changing society.”
Since the opening of the college, SECOM’s open innovation team has been responsible for the program, supporting students’ initiatives by delivering a monthly curriculum focused on entrepreneurship.
Kamiyama Marugoto College is a five-year private technical college established in April 2023 in Kamiyama, Tokushima Prefecture. Students enroll after graduating from junior high school, and the institution is positioned as a distinctive educational model in Japan that integrates upper secondary and tertiary education into a single program. While high school education in Japan typically lasts three years, this institution has intentionally adopted a five-year structure, placing emphasis not only on technical skills but also on developing broader capabilities, including the ability to conceive ideas and execute them.
Furthermore, at a time when Japan’s declining birthrate has led to a reduction in the number of schools, the establishment of a new educational institution itself is another defining feature. Amid changing economic conditions and demographic shifts, this initiative can be seen as an effort to rethink the very foundations of how educational opportunities are designed. Built on the educational foundation of “technology, design, and entrepreneurship,” the college aims not only to impart technical skills but also to nurture individuals who can drive change in society—people who can turn making things into creating impact. Through an unconventional curriculum free from existing frameworks, as well as diverse interactions fostered within a fully residential environment, students are given opportunities to formulate their own questions, learn through trial and error, and take action. Through this process, it is expected that students will develop a mindset of proactively engaging with society.
To create an environment in which motivated students can pursue their education regardless of their financial circumstances, Kamiyama Marugoto College established the “Scholarship Partner Program,” aimed at making tuition virtually free for 5 years. This scheme provides stable scholarship support through corporate contributions and is the first initiative of its kind in Japan. By having multiple companies participate as scholarship partners, the program has achieved effectively tuition-free education for all students.
SECOM endorsed this initiative and, as one of several participating companies, joined as a scholarship partner by contributing 1 billion yen.
Since its founding, SECOM has operated under SECOM's fundamental philosophy of conducting business that are beneficial to society, and has continuously pursued service innovation with a forward looking perspective that asks what is necessary for society to achieve sustainable growth, while contributing to society through its business activities. In response to significant changes in the external environment and growing uncertainty, SECOM formulated the SECOM Group Vision 2040 in 2026, with 2040 set as one of its targets, in order to further realize the “Social System Industry,” which describes a framework of distinctive, integrated services and systems. These values underpin SECOM’s support for Kamiyama Marugoto College in its mission to nurture individuals who can bring about change in society.
SECOM will continue to support the initiatives of Kamiyama Marugoto College while pursuing new forms of value creation. Together with its partners, SECOM will envision a future in which the challenges taken on by the next generation contribute to the sustainable development of society.
During the summer vacation period, SECOM scholarship students visit SECOM’s headquarters, where they present reports on their activities and take part in a summer program that includes fieldwork and workshops.
In the 2025 summer program, students presented their activity plans for the college’s third year, including initiatives such as an international robotics competition, to SECOM’s management. In addition, they focused on Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and participated in fieldwork at facilities such as helicopters owned by SECOM, large‑scale data centers operated by the SECOM Group, and senior residences. Through workshops designed to organize and reflect on their learning related to BCP, the students had a better grasp of what the business looks like in practice.
SECOM will continue to support the development of people who can bring about change in society by engaging in dialogue with students and providing opportunities for practical, hands‑on learning.
